I just wanted to post a bit about my older son and see if anyone has advice.

Evan is 3 and when he was an infant he was on several meds until about 13 mths to help with reflux. He seemed to grow out of it and I thought he was fine. At his last checkup I mentioned some of the breathing issues he seems to have several times a month. They decided to send me back to a specialist and I was surprised at what he told me. I had no idea that many of the things that were happening to Evan are symptoms of silent reflux or a more serious problem. Poor Kid!

I feel awful that I didn't do my research and get him help sooner.

He seems like such a healthy kid. He was a very chubby baby, even though he had food texture issues. He didn't throw up a lot and ate a good amount. At 18mths he weighed 35lbs. At his 3 year check up he still weighed 35lbs. Although a good weight for a 3 year old they are beginning to worry a bit that he hasn't gained anything.

He has an upper GI series planned. Any tips on getting a 3 year old to fast for 6 hours? What exactly happens during a series? Any advice?

HI RUTH!!! WELCOME TO IRD!!!!

Can you schedule the UGI for early morning?
Then you wouldn't have to worry about the fast cuz he'd be sleeping through it.

They will give him a barium mixture to drink and take pictures of his belly while he lays on his back under a machine. Then they will have him roll over to his side and take pictures from that angle. Depending on what exactly they are looking for... the test will take approx 30 40 minutes or so. Maybe longer if they want to watch the food empty from his tummy.
It was an O.K. test. Pain free! So it's scores well in my book. It's hard to keep a little guy still for that long but the techs were great and helped him stay comfy and entertained.

I hope your UGI test goes just as smoothly as ours did. I'm sure other people here will have more to add too

Hi there, and welcome to IRD. Minnie did great in describing it, first thing in the morning would be great. WIth the upper GI, do know that it isn't always conclusive for reflux, as if they are not refluxing at the time, it won't show it. A pH probe is inserted through the nose and measures pH for a 24 hour period, this is more likely to tell reflux or not.

But the upper GI will also show if there is problems with abnormalites of sorts if that is contributing to the no eating. With the weight, was it on the same scales both times? Scales can be out considerably at different places, so maybe he had gained a little (wishful thinking maybe?)

The other test if you are getting no where is to do an endoscopy, they can take biopsys and see if there was inflammation and also if there is anything that is stopping him from gaining weight.

I wish you the best luck, take a portable tv in with you, it may take his mind off it, but I am sure he will do fine!